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31 Days with God for Fathers By Dan Dick / Barbour Publishing Honor Dad with this devotional! 31 Days with God for Fathers promises challenge, encouragement, and plenty of wisdom for these vital men in our lives. Covering topics such as guidance, contentment, discipline, and responsibility, these real-life, Bible-based meditations will help dads to be everything God wants them to be. |
Whatever is Pure - June 2006
It Is The Thought That Counts.
John Of The Cross
http://www.ccel.org/j/john_cross/
Dark Night of The Soul
Have you ever been the crime victim of a 'drive-by' act of 'supposed kindness' that left you with a bad taste in your mouth and confusion in your spirit? I know that I have been a victim and I know that on numerous occasions, I've been behind the wheel so to speak.
If we attach any condition to an action that we do for another, then the act that we do - no matter how noble or how sacrificial - is not born out of love. I am guilty of the worst of these so-called acts of goodness. That being, doing something 'nice in order to chastise another or to make a 'point'. This passive aggressive behaviour is insidious and while my victims might have been vaguely aware of being manipulated, they would be hard put to point a finger at the wrong motivation in my heart.
I've been guilty of clearing a table, for example, when no one else would step up to the plate, so to speak. On the surface, it would appear to be a gracious act of serving my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. However, if you look more closely, you see the look of martyrdom upon my face in this little scenario and your ear would pick up the exaggerated sigh of a pseudo-martyr as I gathered mugs from the table to place in the soapy suds. Not a word would I speak but my actions would scream my moral superiority and my 'servant' heart in the midst of the oafs who would dare fellowship around the table after a meal. If anyone had been feeling the urge to give me a helping hand, that urge was definitely stifled by my attitude.
Another example might be the ever patient, ever loving wife who literally moans as she bends over to pick up something off the floor, rather than ask the person who put it there in the first place to clean up their own mess. "No, no, it's alright, you go ahead and watch your football game, dear. After all, I only have to put Sunday dinner for five on the table. Would you like your favourite layer cake for dessert..." Oh watch the knife that cuts into that cake to serve it at dinner as it might be in the husband's back, given the hidden resentment behind the wife's action.
Rather than trying to make a non-verbal point that knives into the heart of another person, literally killing them with kindness, I believe the Lord's desire is that we speak lovingly and clearly, stating what needs to be done and invite others to help, if they so choose. Looking back, I'm sure that I've probably missed out on many a good conversation over a sink of hot soapy suds when all I needed to do was give a shout out to the dining room, asking for volunteers. A sink full of dirty dishes is much less important in the long run than a heart that is full of resentment and self-righteousness.
© 2006 Katherine Walden
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Closed Up and Shut Down
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Big, full anemone type flowers in bright, lemon yellows and neon pinks cluster about our front walkway. They really catch the eye, and they thrive in the brutal heat of our tropical days.
At night, however, they close up and shut down. The droopy gray-green succulent leaves look nearly dead. In fact you probably wouldn't even notice them at all.
Have you heard the saying, "Pray at night and give your problems to the Lord; He’ll be up all night anyway."
It is so comforting to know that God is never closed up and shut down. (Psalm 121:3...."He who watches over you will not slumber").
That is good news!
Sally I. Kennedy
Author of "Words from the Heart", and "52 Little Parables from Ireland" (Creation House Press)
http://www.sallyikennedy.com
sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net
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God Redeeming Light
Azali is from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was an ardent follower of Mohammad until the results of a challenge he laid out before some Christian students. Please read this powerful testimony of how this man was converted to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior!
And He said unto them: "Go into the world, and preach the gospel to every Creature. " (Mark 16:15)
When I was 14 years old I was studying in a convent school at Saddar Karachi Pakistan. I belong to a Muslim family. My parents forced me to learn the Qur’an by heart when I was seven and so I did. I had a lot of Christian fellows (or acquaintances) at school.
I was surprised to see them studying while I always found Christians of low profile in the society. I discussed and argued a lot with them about the accuracy of Qur’an and rejection of Bible by Allah in Holy Qur’an. I always forced them to accept Islam. Often my Christian teacher told me not to do so. He said, "God may choose you as he chose the Apostle Paulus. " I asked them who is Paulus, I know Muhammad only.
One day during our discussion I challenged them to burn the Holy Books of each other. They should burn the Qur’an and I should do the same with the Bible. We agreed: "The book which would burn, would be false. The book, which would not burn, has the Truth in it. God Himself would save His Word. " Unfortunately they were not ready to do this because they were frightened. Living in an Islamic Country and doing such a thing could lead them to face the law and meet its consequences. I told them I could do this by myself.
First I set the Qur’an on fire and it got burnt before our eyes. Then I tried to do the same with the Bible. As soon as I tried it, the Bible struck my chest and I fell on the ground. There was smoke all around my body. I was burning, but from a spiritual fire.
Suddenly I saw a man with golden hair, wrapped in light on my side. He placed his hand on my head and said to me "You are my son and from now on you will preach the Gospel in your nation. Go! Your Lord is with you. "
I went home and I told my parents about all what happened. But they did not believe it. They thought that the Christians got me under magic, but I told them that all this happened before my very own eyes and that many people were watching this. They still did not believe and they turned me out of my home and refused to accept me as their family member.
I went to a Church close to my home; I told the Father there all about what happened and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior on 02-17-85.
My Family refused to accept me. I went to various churches and got more knowledge about the Word of God. I also followed many Bible Courses and then I got a ministry.
Now after 20 years, I have seen many people come to the Lord and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Thanks to the Lord, I am now married and have a Christian family. Me and my wife Khadija are involved in the work of the Lord and able to share the miracles God has been doing in our lives.
Even though it is not easy and we face many hardships, we feel like Paul who went through hardships and suffering for the Glory of His Savior, who went Himself through suffering during His walk on earth and on the cross. We thank God the Father for sending His Son to this earth and giving us free life through Him.
We thank God for His Spirit who encourages us day by day to live for Him.
© Azali
Azali5059457@msn.com
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Dancing With Jesus
When in your presence
my soul dances
what a turn of events
safe with you are my chances
Fellowship divine
as saints witness
my heart is now a shrine
with you life has completeness
No more empty desire
my mind now clear
my soul a burning fire
my thoughts a new frontier
Calming is your love
while death I wait
my heart longs far above
dancing with you, my soul mate
©2006 Stephen Modawell
modawellminutes@yahoo.com
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